St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Newsletter — November 2021

St. Anthony of padua

THE SEASON OF ADVENT:

Prayerfully Entering into a Time of Preparation and Reflection

A

lthough pandemic restrictions have thus far delayed definite scheduling for Advent and Christmas events, there are no restrictions on how we can prepare spiritually to celebrate this joyous season.

“We’re kind of in a survival mode working with the pandemic restrictions,” Fr. Tom says. “But we’ve got an active community and a lot will be coming up.”

The excitement of Christmas in public life certainly began even as the last jack-o’lantern was put away. Christmas music has appeared in the stores and on the airwaves, and decorations are stocked on store shelves.

In the midst of all this, however, the observance of Advent becomes important as we prepare for Christmas. As Catholics, Advent helps us prepare not only for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, but also to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom, and our arrival there.

Advent offers us the opportunity to enter into special prayers in preparation.

“Anything Marian is wonderful — with Dec. 8 being the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, this is very important for the season,” Fr. Tom says.

“Mary is the final prophet with her proclamation in the Magnificat. You can pray this prayer during Advent and it can become a Marian devotion. Mary’s presence is all over this season.”

Fr. Tom also recommends looking to the Liturgy of the Hours for appropriate continued on back cover

Inside

NOVEMBER 2021

2

Finance Council: Faithfully Caring for Our Parish's Resources

3 The Real Message of Thanksgiving 4

The Importance of Loving God More Deeply at Mass

6

Our History Remember When?

A Look Back at Thirteen Hour Devotion

7

The Funeral Dinners Ministry: Providing Essential Comfort with Great Love

St. Anthony of padua

FINANCE COUNCIL:

F aithfully C aring for Our Parish’s Resources

W

e are all called to give of our time, talent, and treasure. No matter how small or large the financial gift, it all matters to the financial health of St. Anthony of Padua. Equally important is the council that oversees our parish’s financial health — the Finance Council. Each Catholic Church is mandated by the Code of Canon Law to have a Finance Council.

“The goal of the Finance Council is to help the pastor to be a good steward of resources,” says Fr. Tom Donovan. “They are there so the pastor can consult them to make sure we are doing the best we can to steward resources that are generously given by the parishioners.”

With a history that extends back 160 years, our St. Anthony of Padua Parish must maintain the resources that have been passed down for generations. Fr. Tom is asking for more members to join the Finance Council to continue to carry forward this essential legacy. Members of the council need to have a background in finance, accounting, or law.

Anyone with special skills in these areas is asked to consider using your gifts for the good of the parish.

“We are blessed with what we have received from generations of people who have practiced the faith at St. Anthony,” Fr. Tom says. “Our job is to make sure to carry those temporal goods forward.”

An average of $5,000 runs through the parish and school each day. To be good stewards of these finances, it takes oversight. The school is the largest ministry of the parish, so everything at the school also needs to be monitored. The Finance Council is also there to consider the parish’s long-term future, whether that be for renovations or investments.

“When you contribute, you are participating in something much bigger than yourself,” Fr. Tom says. “You are doing so much good for us all.”

To best carry out our parish’s mission, we need to be mindful of our finances. In turn, Fr. Tom appreciates the Finance Council members and their ability to help with financial matters.

“We should all take some time to consider the gifts, generously given to us by God, and how we can use them at St. Anthony of Padua,” he says.

For more info about joining the Finance Council, please contact Fr. Tom Donovan at tdonovan@dio.org. It would be helpful to have a council member who is in the midst of attaining a degree in accounting or someone who has recently graduated.

2

A Letter From Our Pastor

The

Real Message OF THANKSGIVING

Dear Parishioners,

T

he mere mention of Thanksgiving brings many images to one’s mind. Different families and multicultural societies like ours in the United States may celebrate in unique ways, but the basis is often the same. Families gather, they share time together, and they are treated to a meal, which is beyond the norm. Not everyone eats turkey and dressing, pumpkin pie, cranberries, and all those other food items we seem to associate with the holiday. However, there is always an element of thanksgiving and gratitude in the air.

In the midst of all the traveling, celebrating, and camaraderie associated with Thanksgiving, we sometimes miss the real significance of this holiday.

Regardless of what you may identify or accept as the beginnings of our Thanksgiving celebration, that idea of appreciation does pervade it all. Historically, it was President Abraham Lincoln who is given credit for making Thanksgiving “official” here in the United States in 1863. Nevertheless, President George Washington issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation on Oct. 3, 1789, 74 years to the day prior to Lincoln’s.

Washington began his proclamation with these words: “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, and to be grateful for His benefits…”

For those who embrace and practice our idea of Catholic stewardship, this is the heart of our stewardship philosophy — that is, God needs to be at the center of our lives. God has gifted each of us, and we need to respond to God in gratitude for those many gifts. That message was the same message we hear in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. It is certainly the message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Just as we as Catholics know it is important “to keep Christ in Christmas,” it is equally imperative to keep God in Thanksgiving. Our recent presidents, whether Democrats or Republicans, men of faith or not, have used these phrases in their own proclamations: “…grateful for the God-given bounty that enriches our lives”; “…to give thanks to God for the blessings in our lives”; “Let us give our own thanks to God and reaffirm our love of family, neighbor and community”; “We offer praise to God for His goodness and generosity.”

As much as we may enjoy the way our own families celebrate Thanksgiving — whether it includes turkey, goose, or oysters — we must never lose sight of the real message of Thanksgiving. God has blessed us and we must offer thanks to the Lord. There are so many ways we as Catholics can ensure that our Thanksgivings are filled with faith and appreciation to our Lord.

In spite of the preparations for whatever feast is planned, we can try to attend Mass as a family. Many parishes bless bread and other items so that the direct connection among our faith, our faith family, and the Lord is made. Prayer should be a part of the beginning and the end of our celebration, and that prayer needs to reflect our gratitude to God. We are truly blessed, and it is no accident that in this country, Thanksgiving often immediately precedes Advent. Christ should be a part of our lives now and throughout the year.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Tom Donovan Pastor

3

St. Anthony of padua

W

hen young people see a person that intrigues them, that attraction becomes the topic of conversation at every opportunity. This attraction alters behavior so that we become enthralled with the other and desire to share our enthusiasm.

Imagine if we were more enthralled with the presence of Christ in our lives. Imagine if we fully recognized that Christ is truly present to us in His precious Body and Blood, and present as well in the proclamation of His Word and in the gathering of our community, praying and singing (see Sacrosanctum Concilium [Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy], para. 14). Recognizing the living Christ in all these ways would awaken in us the desire to be with the One who is the object of our most fundamental, pure, and holy attraction to our merciful, loving, and gracious Savior.

If we were to recognize the presence of Christ in these beautiful ways, wouldn’t our desire to be more completely in His presence increase?

Surely our desire to be better stewards of our time with the Lord would grow. Our attention to the readings and other prayers of the Mass would bring about within us deeper communion with the

More D

THE IMPORTANCE O One who suffered and died for us. If I recognized that God is the answer to all my pangs of hunger, that Christ is my way to the Father, and that the Holy Spirit works to convert my heart and soul every day, would I not seek to fill that hunger at the banquet of the Lamb?

While active participation in Sunday Mass is an obligation for Catholics, we also will do well to see the lovely, motherly care the Church shows us in establishing that requirement. The Code of Canon Law states clearly in paragraph 1247, “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.”

Sometimes, we might hear that as an overbearing rule. But it might more correctly be understood as our Mother, the Church, helping us learn what is best for us. At Mass, we hear the living Word of God proclaimed. He speaks to us. We receive as hungry, needy sinners, the precious Body and Blood of Christ. We encounter Christ’s living presence in our brothers and sisters worshiping God with us. If we truly understood that amazing truth, then how might it affect our lives? How might it affect our relationships? How might it impact our decision to bring our children along to Mass? How might it awaken within us a deeper attraction, fascination, desire for the Lord?

Generally, when we find ourselves fascinated with someone, we do not decide to spend as little time as possible with them. We do not ration our time with them. We want to spend time with them, to see them, to listen to them, to get to know them, to develop a healthy, loving relationship with them.

Considering our reliance on the Lord of life and love, our fascination with His mercy, His goodness, His willingness to call us to Himself, maybe we should ask ourselves about what continued on page 5

4

Deeply

F LOVING GOD AT MASS

happens in us at Mass. As I prepare to come to Church, do I find my mind turning to a receptive welcome of the Lord, just as I’ll be welcomed at the door of Church? Have I dressed for the important weekly (or daily) moment of meeting my King? Do I expect some profound wisdom from God in the readings? Am I open to correction, to challenge, to affirmation in the readings of God’s Word?

Do I intently pray along with the priest presider throughout the Mass? Do I make an offering of my life, along with the bread and wine? Do I genuinely hunger for the Body and Blood of Christ? And do I long for that blessing that sends me on my way with the mission to build the Kingdom?

Instead of worrying about what “counts” when it comes to Sunday Mass, maybe we should work hard at fostering our love for the Eucharist, our desire for eternal life, our attraction to the Master who calls us into a life of active discipleship. Instead of a merely heavy-handed requirement, maybe we can see more clearly that being at Mass together helps nourish us for a whole week of building God’s Kingdom. Coming with those expectations, desires, and hopes, leaving early when unnecessary would disappear as a temptation instantly. Coming late because other things have taken priority would not typically happen, other obligations notwithstanding.

Christ desires our company at Mass, from beginning to end. Let’s draw near to Him.

At Mass, we hear the living Word of God proclaimed. He speaks to us. We receive as hungry, needy sinners, the precious Body and Blood of Christ. We encounter Christ’s living presence in our brothers and sisters worshiping God with us. If we truly understood that amazing truth, then how might it affect our lives?

5

St. Anthony of padua

OUR HISTORY

REMEMBER WHEN?

A Look Back at Thirteen Hours Devotion

A

s we remember, Thirteen Hours Devotion was an important day for our parish family.

The day began with the Sunday Mass, where the school children sat in the first three pews, boys on the south side, and girls on the north, divided by grade level and supervised by the nuns sitting directly behind the students.

After Mass and the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, students returned to the school, while the rest of the congregation returned home.

Throughout the day, classes with the addition of public school children, led by the sisters took turns going to church to provide perpetual adoration including the Rosary, formal prayers, and quiet time. If your class was not at church, you would have free time for eating and playing both indoors and outdoors. In addition, there were no classes at St. Anthony School the following day.

Throughout the day, parishioners were encouraged to visit and pray before the Blessed Sacrament. In the evening, the parishioners returned to church for the benediction and closing of the Thirteen Hours Devotion.

The closing included a procession around the interior of the church. Servers carrying lighted candles and burning incense, followed by the priest holding the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament, led the procession.

Protecting the Blessed Sacrament overhead was the ceremonial gold canopy supported on corner posts and held by men of the parish as hymns of praise filled the church.

The solemnity of this sacred time reaffirmed our belief that the Blessed Sacrament is not mere bread; it is the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Thirteen Hours Devotion was an important day for our parish family. The solemnity of this sacred time reaffirmed our belief that the Blessed Sacrament is not mere bread; it is the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

6

THE FUNERAL DINNERS MINISTRY: Providing Essential

C omfort with Great Love

I

t is wonderful to know that members of our parish family who are grieving never have to go through it alone. Thanks to the generous members of the Funeral Dinners Ministry, the love of Christ remains at their side during some of their most difficult moments.

“I believe this is such an important ministry, and I hope that it shows those who are grieving that their parish family loves and cares for them,” says Tawny Benz, who serves as a Funeral Dinners Ministry team leader, alongside Lou Ann Weills.

“I am glad I can help the family of the deceased by providing this opportunity for them to just visit with one another and grieve.”

Currently, the Funeral Dinners Ministry has approximately 50 men and women, serving on two different teams, who provide a luncheon after our parish funerals and burials for families who would like to receive one.

The two funeral teams work together to provide larger funeral luncheons.

“We work together because many hands make light work,” Tawny says. “We provide the meat, potatoes, and vegetables, while the team members bring

in salads, desserts, etcetera, to finish out the food. We have men and women that work and provide food, but we also have people that cannot work at the funeral luncheon bring food in for us. And we have some very good cooks in our parish.”

Those who give their time and talent to this ministry find it to be greatly rewarding in the end.

“I first got involved with this ministry because there was only one Funeral Dinner team and the same people had to do all the work,” Tawny says. “Now I continue to do it because I feel it not only assists the family of the deceased, but it also gives me

a good way to spend time with the other people on my team.

They are a great bunch and I feel blessed to work with them.”

Ultimately, this ministry is a true reflection of what it means to care for others in the name of Christ and carry out the stewardship vision.

“The families respond with so much appreciation for us making a meal for them, and I am so thankful I can help them in a small way to get through this rough time,” Tawny says. “It really touches my heart to see the grieving family and friends being able to sit down and eat together, and enjoy each other’s company.”

Those who would like to comfort the grieving by volunteering with this beautiful ministry of compassion, or receive its services, may contact Tawny Benz at 217-257-0847. Members of this ministry do not have to attend any meetings.

7

St. Anthony of padua

2223 St. Anthony Rd. | Quincy, IL 62305 217-222-5996 | www.stanthonypadua.org

Return Service Requested

St. Dominic School of St. Anthony of Padua Parish 4100 Columbus Road | Quincy, IL 62305 | 217-224-0041

DAILY MASS: Mon, Tue, & Thu: 7:30 a.m.

Saturday: 4:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Sunday: 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

CONFESSIONS: Saturday 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

THE SEASON OF ADVENT Advent prayers, with these prayers calling to mind the tradition of the Jesse Tree that celebrates the branches of Jesus’s heritage.

“To meditate on these is wonderful,” Fr. Tom says. “Read the nativity narratives of Matthew and Luke. You can read these in 10 minutes to your kids. This exposes you to the Word of God itself.”

Many Advent traditions can help us prayerfully look toward Christmas.

“Those Advent calendars with the little gifts inside each day are a tremendous tradition, Fr. Tom says. This helps remind us of the greatness of God’s grace that follows us through all time, not just at Christmas. Families have their

continued from front cover traditions that are just as important in how they help prepare for the season.”

There will be Christmas programs this year, and traditional giving opportunities, such as the Socks and Underwear Drive and the Giving Tree.

“These giving programs serve as a reminder of God’s constant giving to us, and His most precious gift — His Son,” Fr. Tom says. “When we can include God in our giving, by giving of ourselves from ourselves, what better way than that to imitate one of the greatest attributes of God? We learn to be thankful for the gifts we have and to use them for the betterment of, and helping the lives of others.”

As Advent and Christmas programs and events in our parish are finalized, we are asked to refer to the Sunday bulletins for details and schedules.